Decongestants are the drugs or medicines used to relieve nasal congestion,
which in common terms, refer to stuffy nose.
Causes of Nasal Congestion
There are various causes of nasal
congestion or a runny nose like as follows:
- Cold and Cough
- Viral Infection
- Allergies to grass, pets, foods or other substances
How do decongestants work?
As already mentioned, decongestants are
used to relieve nasal blocks. They are available in the form of capsules,
gel caps, nasal sprays, and nose drops. Some decongestant products require a
physician's prescription but there are also many non-prescription
(over-the-counter) products. These medicines work by narrowing blood vessels
in the nose lining. As a result, blood flowing through the area reduces and
the swollen tissue inside the nose shrinks. This helps in passing of the air
easily through the nose passage.
It is to be noted that decongestants do not cure colds or reverse the
effects of
histamines. They
are not for relieving all of the symptoms associated with colds and
allergies. They help in relieving only the stuffiness.
Benefits of Decongestants
- Relieving stuffy nose caused by a cold or the flu.
- Relieving studdy nose caused by sinusitis or allergies.
Common Decongestants
- Levo-methamphetamine
- Ephedrine
- Naphazoline
- Phenylephrine
- Oxymetazoline
- Propylhexedrine
- Phenylpropanolamine
- Pseudoephedrine
- Tetrahydrozoline
- Synephrine
Common side effects of OTC decongestants
Though there is no such
serious side effects of decongestants, some may face the problem of
nervousness, dizziness and sleeping problems. In extreme cases, it causes
high blood pressure.
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Decongestants